"Basically the live album is just an excuse to re-record everything," Barrett says. "That's where we've always felt most comfortable. When we're on stage, we just feel better about playing."

And because most Reel Big Fish fans end up becoming lifelong devotees of the group after attending a live show, Barrett hopes that his act's latest release will simply open more doors to those just discovering his act for the first time. "It's an easier way to get into us so you don't have to buy a whole bunch of albums, just this one," he says. “Also, Jive still owns all our other albums so this is our way of taking our music back!"

The accompanying DVD features 20 songs filmed from a live show in April 2006 at The Alley in Fullerton, Calif. The professionally shot and edited multi-camera shoot was directed by Jonathan London and features plenty of performance footage interspersed with the band's typically witty stage banter. Additionally, several special DVD features include practice footage, a small documentary regarding overdubbing, interviews with band members and a photo gallery.

The title of the album says it all. This album is RBF at their best. Better than their studio records!

Drew from San Angelo, TX

Aug 29 2007

Rating:

You have no good reason to not own this. This is absolutely amazing. Plus, its 2 discs of live stuff! How many bands do that for their live record? AND a DVD to go with it. They cover Operation Ivy’s “Knowledge” on the DVD and the dude from Zebrahead sings on it I believe. Singer for Zolof the Rock and Roll Destroyer sings on some tracks as well. Good mix of songs from all their releases. On Disc 1 there is a Cure cover of “Boys Don’t Cry” which is pretty ill. The last track on that disc (S.R.) is fantastic because they play a ton of versions of it like the regular version, punk version, blues version, disco version, country version, garage rock version, rap version, death metal version, emo version, its hilarious. There are some songs from each record except of course the new one “Monkey’s For Nothin’ and the Chimps for Free” which is also equally as fantastic and you need that too. Aaron and the rest of the crew is funny as hell and talk a lot on stage. Disc one (tracks 1-17) is 1 hour and 2 minutes. Disc two (tracks 18-35) is just about the same.

Killer live SKA record dig it.

Get this instead of the “Greatest Hits” that they didn’t even authorize to drop. This destroys.

Isaac from La Pryor, TX

Aug 26 2006

Rating:

Wow this cd/dvd combo is amazing. Even if you already have their last live dvd, I suggest to pick this one up. My only disappointment is Unity and WHYB? are not on the cds. I'm talking about the amazing WHYB? version from the dvd though. Still, its an awesome set!